Members of the Bourne End and Beaconsfield branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) paid tribute to a “very valued member” of the charity who was awarded the RNLI Gold Medal for her fundraising efforts.

Margaret Hourigan, of Bolter End near High Wycombe, who has been described by members as a “committed” and “avid” fundraiser, raised £20,000 a year for the RNLI, which prompted the charity to offer her the prestigious award.

Husband Kevin Hourigan, treasurer at the same branch, made a moving eulogy at her memorial service last month in which he said she was “thrilled” at the recognition she received from the RNLI.

He said: "Margaret has been an avid volunteer fund-raiser for the Bourne End and Beaconsfield branch of the RNLI. 320 lifeboats around our coasts manned by volunteers ready to sail off into God knows what kind of weather to hook someone off a sinking yacht – and all done without a penny of government money.

“Now this was Margaret’s idea of a good cause.

“She has stood with her tabard and bucket outside countless supermarkets and the like in all kinds of weather, and churned out industrial quantities of sandwiches, sausage rolls and quiche slices for functions over the years.

“As deputy treasurer, she has counted, logged, bagged and paid in £20,000 a year from the various collections and the fleet of plastic lifeboats on counters in pubs and shops in the area.

“She did all of this because she wanted to, and not for recognition or thanks.”

Friend and RNLI colleague Linda Prager described Mrs Hourigan as an “amazing person” and “inspiring lady”.

She said: “It is a huge loss to have such a valued fundraiser and person leave us. There is now a huge gap to fill.

“She was very dedicated and that is something very special in any type of charity. People like her are so rare.

“She will be hard to replace.”